A 33-year-old mother was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Naga City, Cebu, after police allegedly caught her selling shabu to regular buyers.
The suspect was identified as Marybeth Jerbese, also known as “Abet,” a resident of Barangay Mainit in Naga City. She was arrested at about 3:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, by officers from the Naga City Police Station’s City Special Drug Enforcement Unit.
Police allegedly recovered about two grams of suspected shabu from Jerbese. Authorities placed the confiscated substance’s standard drug price at approximately P13,600.
Investigators said the suspected drugs were allegedly supplied to Jerbese by a person identified only as “Onie,” who is also reportedly from Barangay Mainit.
Authorities alleged that Jerbese would divide the substance into smaller packets before selling them to her regular customers. Police said she was allegedly involved in selling illegal drugs as a means of supporting her family.
Jerbese was detained at the Naga City Police Station as authorities prepared charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The alleged supplier identified as “Onie” has also been linked to the investigation, although authorities have not announced an arrest in connection with that individual.
The case will now proceed through the legal process, where the allegations against Jerbese will be evaluated based on the evidence presented in court.
The arrest also highlights continuing police operations against suspected illegal drug distribution in Cebu, with authorities targeting both street-level sellers and alleged suppliers involved in the local drug trade.
